Who gets bunions?
Women are more frequently symptomatic with bunions because of their choice of shoegear and tendency to have looser ligaments. Wearing high heels is especially stressful on the joints of the foot as all of the body’s weight rests there. The foot is then abnormally forced into the narrow, pointed front of the shoe. Athough this compounds the problem, it does not create it. People with flat feet or low arches are more prone to develop the problem than those with higher arches. A tight Achilles tendon can lead to abnormal mechanics of the arch and forefoot leading to bunion formation as well. Bunions may also be associated with, and may even cause, some forms of arthritis. Arthritis can cause the joint’s cartilage to deteriorate, leaving the joint damaged and with decreased motion. The condition can run in families and is a symptom of faulty foot mechanics. Bunions occur due to an imbalance of forces across the big toe joint. It is the foot type that is hereditary, not necessarily the buni
